What MODEL is your optimum 4 wheel pop-up size

[arg]

What size of pop-up tent do you find is a adequate for your needs. I fully understand everyone is different, with different needs, but, I'd still like to hear what size of pop-up would be great for 2 adults, no pets, and lots of gear. I don't have a pick up truck yet, but I am looking at double cab or crew cab. Specifically, is a Raven Shell too small, or can two people make it work?

 

[JCatt]

I like my Hawk, but was surprised how much roomier the Grandby felt only being 18 inches longer. Of course with a smaller camper/truck you have better mobility, less weight etc. There are always trade offs so if you have a chance to climb around in a few that might help. I would imagine one could make any of them work.
Interestingly we chose the Hawk because it fit our truck at the time. When we bought a new truck it was based on the Hawks size!

 

[BBZ]

We have an older Fleet (81-82), 7.5 feet long.. its make for a smaller truck so its a bit narrow. We spent 3 weeks in Baja and it was pretty comfortable with two adults and two dogs. We hate cooking inside as its tight. We just got an old Granby 8 foot long that we are renovating. Its clear the extra 6 inches in Width is going to be very nice. We have an F150 Super Crew 6.5 bed.. the Super Crew is very nice for extra gear, and dogs..

 

[Smokecreek1]

Bigger is better-at least to me! I have a 05 Granby and those extra feet /inches it has over the smaller models get really put to use. it's just me and the dog and at night and during bad weather, we like our comfort. The extra storage space/table top is great for putting that extra junk on/or in it and until I got that new swing out table was where I ate when the weather was bad.

Smoke

 

[Batman]

My very initial impression is that two people in a Fleet can work but it takes some work to make it work. Specifically a willingness to down size the carry-on. I noticed a big difference even between the Hawk and Fleet in terms of space. Still its much better than our tent.

 

[klahanie]

Key factor to me in a pop up is the ability to sleep top down. This layout requirement would drive the size for us. IMO all these FWC are really small, I wouldn't really want to be smaller than our Granby, though in truth haven't tried. Perhaps a Hawk front dinette could work. Our old model has a side and front bench, a small closet, some galley side cupboards without internal water tank or batteries. All this provides for storage and we use all of it.

Ideal looks to be a Ganby Flat Bed with its top down dinette sleeping feature that would still allow good access to door, porta potti and room on the floor for fido or gear. But I'd want to confirm there'd be enough storage first...

 

[Vic Harder]

I have a Hawk but without the extended cab over. My next FWC will have that, as being able to leave the "bed" setup and not intruding into the living/cooking area is important. Other than that, with a shell model the Hawk is plenty big enough, and smaller is better when it comes to agility and the ability to go offroad.

 

[CougarCouple]

Hello arg
Your question is very difficult IMO, unless someone who has a Raven and can tell you what it's like for them.
The difference in floor space using FWC measurements not including the bed is.

Raven 38.8 sq feet (70*80)

Grandby 53.33 sq feet (96*80)

Raven on a Tundra in the photo, Grandby on a 3/4 ton Crew cab. ( they are big) you mention Two people and a bunch of gear in a shell.
If your plan is to fill the raven with gear? And just sleep in the Raven just using it to haul the gear to your destination I think it would work.
For us that would not work, we stop and lift the back of the popup, make lunch, sit enjoy the moment. Sometimes my wife likes to lay down,while we travel( I know it might not be right,but what u gunna do).
If you want to really get off the beaten path the Tundra is probably better vehicle (smaller) might be better for you. We know right off we needed the 8ft camper for what we want to do. Please do not forget to evaluate your weight (gear) as it adds up fast and too small a vehicle can be a bummer.
Hope this helps a little bit, I like how others view their camper, made me realize we all use the campers a little differently.

Russ

 

[billharr]

I have a Hawk but without the extended cab over. My next FWC will have that, as being able to leave the "bed" setup and not intruding into the living/cooking area is important. Other than that, with a shell model the Hawk is plenty big enough, and smaller is better when it comes to agility and the ability to go offroad.

This is why we sold our 2002 Hawk and got a 2013 with the extended cabover.

 

[JaSAn]

I have a Grandby on a Ram 2500 standard cab with an 8 ft. box. I wanted extra room in the camper rather than the truck cab, with just a beagle for traveling companion. I do some moderate 4 wheeling and so far I have been able to go anywhere I wanted.

One of the things that happened by serendipity is I have a 34" wide floor, which makes it easy for two people to maneuver around each other. I built my bed down across the front; makes it easy when I just want to stop and sleep without popping the top.

jim

 

[arg]

Thanks all for replying and reading. I am still interested in reading about experiences with pop-up camper sizes, especially if you now have a 2nd or even a 3rd pop-up, and why you chose the camper size. I'm continuing to read about building out a shell, pick-up truck requirements regarding weight, potential for stealth stays both with respect to sleeping with top down and secure storage of gear, and all the gear-transport hacks people have developed.

 

[PackRat]

Good you are doing your investigation into what works with each camper. Also which size truck is needed to haul each of them around. For a good comparison, you also need to know or at least mention what kind of use you intend it for. Will you do weekenders or a couple weeks on the road or extended weeks-to-months adventures?

How it is outfitted is also important. Basic shell or with creature comforts already installed? If a basic shell, what are your intentions with regard to outfitting it before going out camping? It all boils down to SPACE divided by PEOPLE over COMPONENTS....

Knowing that a extended cab gives you more SPACE can be helpful also. However, it always gets back to insuring you have "enough truck" to haul around the camper, people, dogs, gear, food, etc. SAFELY!

You may choose to buy something like an "entry level" shell and build it out with an eye to replacing it with something bigger down the line but if you do, you would need to either replace the truck or buy one big enough to carry a bigger camper when the urge to upgrade bites you. If you can go check out a few of the options available and ask owners what works and what doesn't, you would save some grief down the line...after all, we each have our own design applications in mind based on our intended usage. That is no more evident than the many threads here about ice boxes vs 12-volt 'fridges and batteries and solar systems to power everything since all that has much to do with what the owners traveling plans are.

Good Luck....

 

[ckent323]

Arg,

I posted some comments related to your question in a different topic thread here:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/16126-looking-for-a-camper/?hl=t4halo#entry192676


Craig